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Chest Tube NCLEX Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
A nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube inserted for a pneumothorax. Which of the following findings indicates the chest tube is working properly?
- Constant bubbling in the water seal chamber
- No fluid in the drainage system
- Continuous bubbling in the suction chamber
✔✔ B. Intermittent bubbling during exhalation
A client has a chest tube connected to suction following surgery. The nurse notes no tidaling in the water seal chamber. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
- Increase suction pressure
- Clamp the chest tube
- Add more water to the drainage system
✔✔ C. Assess for obstruction or lung re-expansion
Which of the following is an appropriate intervention when a chest tube becomes disconnected from the drainage system? 1 / 2
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- Reconnect it without gloves
- Tape it to the client’s chest
- Leave it open to air
✔✔ C. Place the tube end in sterile water until reconnected
What should the nurse do first if a chest tube is accidentally pulled out of a patient?✔✔ A. Cover the site with a sterile occlusive dressing
- Insert a new chest tube
- Irrigate the insertion site
- Leave the wound open to air
A nurse notices continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber. What does this finding most likely indicate?✔✔ A. Air leak in the system
- Lung re-expansion
- Normal function of suction
- Clogged tubing
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